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mrbucket · 04-01-2018, 08:39 PM

2002-03 Kiwi Conference Preview

A surge of new players into the Kiwi Conference hasn't changed the playoff picture too much as the media projects the same playoff teams as last season: Bay of Plenty, Otago, Auckland, and Canterbury with Taranaki and Waikato clipping their heels -- again, just like last season.

Bay of Plenty were having the dream season until Otago wrecked their plans in the New Zealand final. They've upgraded their hitting lineup and kept their excellent team of pitchers together so they can go down as favourites again.

THE MACKAY BROTHERS
Ciaran Mackay was the MVP last season, so why not double down on those genes and bring in his younger brother? Finlay Mackay has elected to return from overseas, and Bay of Plenty snapped him up to an 8 year contract. The media are expecting him to be even better than his brother. Talks of a home run battle between the two has fans excited.

THE NEW KING OF THE STRIKES
Auckland lost their star pitcher to Northland but they've gone and picked up a new recruit: Tye Boxsell, that the media is simply drooling about. Boxsell is set to dominate the strikes category by 50 over the season. Should be a great battle between him and Otago's Randolph D'antonio for the pitcher of the year award.

OTAGO BRING IN A TRUE SLUGGER
New Zealand champion Otago didn't get there with home runs. In fact, only the Tasman Sunbirds sent less into the crowds last season. The Thunderbolts were determined to improve their record there, and with the flood of new talent in the league they bought in 34 year old Domenic Brusnahan on a 5 year deal. Brusnahan is projected to send 58 home runs into the crowd and get a .707 slugging rate. That slugging stat is miles ahead of anyone else, only two other players are projected to get over .600 let alone .700!

WELLINGTON RUE SPRING TRAINING INJURY
The Lions made a number of changes to their 80-88 team but their planning was undone in spring training when their star closer got injured, diagnosed with a ruptured disc and out for the season. This has left them very exposed, their replacement closer picked up negative WAR in AAA ball last season so he's going to need to dig deep.

LOOK OUT FOR THIS GUY
Our early pick for rookie of the year is Auckland's Callum Macdonald. The Aces are looking to play him at Shortstop but he can fill in at 2B or 3B as well. Expect some good defense out of him and lots of solid line drives.

04-01-2018, 08:39 PM	#35
mrbucket All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 902	2002-03 Kiwi Conference Preview A surge of new players into the Kiwi Conference hasn't changed the playoff picture too much as the media projects the same playoff teams as last season: Bay of Plenty, Otago, Auckland, and Canterbury with Taranaki and Waikato clipping their heels -- again, just like last season. Bay of Plenty were having the dream season until Otago wrecked their plans in the New Zealand final. They've upgraded their hitting lineup and kept their excellent team of pitchers together so they can go down as favourites again. THE MACKAY BROTHERS Ciaran Mackay was the MVP last season, so why not double down on those genes and bring in his younger brother? Finlay Mackay has elected to return from overseas, and Bay of Plenty snapped him up to an 8 year contract. The media are expecting him to be even better than his brother. Talks of a home run battle between the two has fans excited. THE NEW KING OF THE STRIKES Auckland lost their star pitcher to Northland but they've gone and picked up a new recruit: Tye Boxsell, that the media is simply drooling about. Boxsell is set to dominate the strikes category by 50 over the season. Should be a great battle between him and Otago's Randolph D'antonio for the pitcher of the year award. OTAGO BRING IN A TRUE SLUGGER New Zealand champion Otago didn't get there with home runs. In fact, only the Tasman Sunbirds sent less into the crowds last season. The Thunderbolts were determined to improve their record there, and with the flood of new talent in the league they bought in 34 year old Domenic Brusnahan on a 5 year deal. Brusnahan is projected to send 58 home runs into the crowd and get a .707 slugging rate. That slugging stat is miles ahead of anyone else, only two other players are projected to get over .600 let alone .700! WELLINGTON RUE SPRING TRAINING INJURY The Lions made a number of changes to their 80-88 team but their planning was undone in spring training when their star closer got injured, diagnosed with a ruptured disc and out for the season. This has left them very exposed, their replacement closer picked up negative WAR in AAA ball last season so he's going to need to dig deep. LOOK OUT FOR THIS GUY Our early pick for rookie of the year is Auckland's Callum Macdonald. The Aces are looking to play him at Shortstop but he can fill in at 2B or 3B as well. Expect some good defense out of him and lots of solid line drives. Last edited by mrbucket; 04-12-2018 at 04:42 PM.